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penitent

pen·i·tent
P p

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [pen-i-tuh nt]
    • /ˈpɛn ɪ tənt/
    • /ˈpen.ɪ.tənt/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [pen-i-tuh nt]
    • /ˈpɛn ɪ tənt/

Definitions of penitent word

  • adjective penitent feeling or expressing sorrow for sin or wrongdoing and disposed to atonement and amendment; repentant; contrite. 1
  • noun penitent a penitent person. 1
  • noun penitent Roman Catholic Church. a person who confesses sin and submits to a penance. 1
  • adjective penitent repentant 1
  • noun penitent sb who repents 1
  • adjective penitent Someone who is penitent is very sorry for something wrong that they have done, and regrets their actions. 0
See all 13 definitions of penitent

Information block about the term

Origin of penitent

First appearance:

before 1325
One of the 16% oldest English words
1325-75; Middle English < Medieval Latin pēnitent-, Latin paenitent- (stem of paenitēns), present participle of paenitēre to regret; replacing Middle English penaunt < Anglo-French; see penance

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Penitent

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
Full grammatical hierarchy of Penitent

penitent popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 90% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.

penitent usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for penitent

adj penitent

  • apologetic — If you are apologetic, you show or say that you are sorry for causing trouble for someone, for hurting them, or for disappointing them.
  • ashamed — If someone is ashamed, they feel embarrassed or guilty because of something they do or they have done, or because of their appearance.
  • attritional — a reduction or decrease in numbers, size, or strength: Our club has had a high rate of attrition because so many members have moved away.
  • compunctious — causing or feeling compunction; regretful.
  • contrite — If you are contrite, you are very sorry because you have done something wrong.

noun penitent

  • magdalen — the, Mary Magdalene.
  • ascetic — An ascetic person has a way of life that is simple and strict, usually because of their religious beliefs.

adjective penitent

  • atoning — to make amends or reparation, as for an offense or a crime, or for an offender (usually followed by for): to atone for one's sins.
  • bad — If you say that it is bad that something happens, you mean it is unacceptable, unfortunate, or wrong.
All 9 Synonyms of penitent

Antonyms for penitent

noun penitent

  • impenitent — not feeling regret about one's sin or sins; obdurate.
Just one Antonym for penitent

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Related words

  • repent

    to feel sorry, self-reproachful, or contrite for past conduct; regret or be conscience-stricken about a past action, attitude, etc. (often followed by of): He repented after his thoughtless act.

  • assonance

    the use of the same vowel sound with different consonants or the same consonant with different vowels in successive words or stressed syllables, as in a line of verse. Examples are time and light or mystery and mastery

  • confidential communication

    a confidential statement made to a lawyer, doctor, or pastor, or to one's spouse, privileged against disclosure in court if the privilege is claimed by the client, patient, penitent, or spouse.

  • lothario

    (sometimes lowercase) a man who obsessively seduces and deceives women.

  • maudlin

    tearfully or weakly emotional; foolishly sentimental: a maudlin story of a little orphan and her lost dog.

  • mourners' bench

    a front row of seats at a revival meeting, for those who are to profess penitence
All related words to penitent

See also

Matching words

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